posted on Jan, 10 2004 @ 08:36 PM
Nasa is not the right choice for this,
ISS is way over budget, outdated and has a crew of only 2, not the 7 it wanted to put up there. Exercise equipment is failing without replacement,
communication with our counter part Russia has brought some close calls to the station.
No a completely new civilian agency is need while Nasa continue's doing what it does best, SPEND MONEY on projects it cancell's. Politicians need
not apply as the current problems facing Nasa would take on new life in another agency. Too much red tape and BS from congress on what is needed to
get the job done. Or wanting parts produced in their state or blockage on construction, just not productive to have them onboard.
I believe we have all we need to get there and back as rocket motors are concerned. Choosing the right vehical to explore and settle can be a National
contest asking for public support to keep the project alive. Hiding behind a Government agency will only secure it's death from running over budget.
Space Bonds something akin to War bonds during WWII to help drive this project, as We the PEOPLE, need to take responsibility for this and run it with
National Pride for the purpose of Investing in the Future.
China has tasted victory in seeking what profits can be found on orbitiing Space Station or a Lunar Base. It has taken them entering space to motovate
those in authority to seek out what we wanted to do in the first place, build a colony on the MOON. From there we can build, test and then send on
their way robotic probes which have gone threw the fire of being in space long enough to ensure circuts and all mechanical systems will function upon
arrival. Our current steps on sending a probe are launching and putting then setting course, if we could take that same probe and build it next to a
space station and test that the system can hold up to the rigors of space we could then attach a motor to send it knowing we have worked out any
clich's that surface while still in our grasp. How many prob's lost due to mal-function of an antenna that failed to deploy or not enough shielding
from the radiation of space. WE can do better, both in space as well as on the surface if we plan on failure as part of what we face. Our Shuttles
face failure each time they launch yet those who spoke out about concerns were mocked as if they had seen a UFO.
Sorry I'm standing on a soap box and just annoyed at were we stand compared to where most of us wish to be.
Michael